There is no relation between Macedonia's accession to NATO and the resolving of the Kosovo issue. We should invest maximum effort into finding a positive resolution for Kosovo, but this is in no way related to Macedonia's integration into NATO, German Defense Minister Franz Josef Jung assessed following yesterday's meeting with Macedonian Defense Minister Lazar Elenovski in Skopje.

Macedonia can be proud of the excellent progress in the military reforms, which opens good prospects as regards membership in NATO. This is important for NATO's report on Macedonia, which should be released in September.